SO Wayne Rooney has been given 20 swear words he must not shout at referees.

I have been about a bit, and I could only think of 14.

What about substitute swear words? I used to work on a chicken farm.

Would Master Rooney get away with: “That was a clucking bad decision, Ref.”?

Max Nottingham, address supplied

Watch your friends

REGARDING your article (ECHO June 17) showing Phil Redmond and Martin McGuinness, was I the only person who felt physically sick upon reading it and viewing the pictures?

Being of strong Irish extraction (both parents from staunchly nationalist backgrounds), I feel justified in expressing my utter revulsion at seeing Phil Redmond pictured with a man who, let’s be frank, even the most biased of right-thinking people would call a terrorist.

In this week where the Saville report rightly condemned the Bloody Sunday murders, let us not forget that it also hinted heavily at the fact that the young Mr Mcguinness was sporting a machine gun... and his involvement in the murderous IRA in subsequent years is well documented.

Mr Redmond, choose your friends wisely and remember his crimes... being pictured with McGuinness in the name of culture is akin to being pictured with Robert Mugabe to celebrate a twinning arrangement with Harare!

A. Lawson, Wirral

Well done Robby

I WAS delighted to read that Robby Pritchard aka Robby the Bobby, has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal, for his services to the community in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Robby works tirelessly for the young people and children in our community and neighbouring Norris Green.

Our young people are often criticised for ‘hanging around’ or ‘roaming the streets’ but the diversionary activities, like Robby’s monthly discos and the football tournaments he puts on in the holidays, give them something to do in a safe structured environment.

While, his work educating younger children in schools helps them to have a better understanding of their behaviour and that of others around them, providing them with a good base for their future behaviour.

Whatever people’s opinions of the police (and their roles) maybe there is no doubt that the part that Robby plays in the force is vital.

We are very lucky to have him in Croxteth and Norris Green and hope that his hard work continues for many years to come.

Mrs Stephanie Till, Croxteth

Anti-British feeling

THE press has been littered with comment pieces and the blogosphere in near-total meltdown after President Obama’s “anti-British rhetoric”.

As silly as the idea of Britons feeling patriotic toward BP is (it is, after all, a stateless multinational), the Obama administration attacking a pillar of our economy while it urges us to sacrifice even more blood and treasure in Afghanistan is a serious concern.

This should come as no surprise to PM Cameron or us Atlanticists, however, since the disregard with which Obama treats Britain was made abundantly clear by his dithering over the Afghan issue.

Last year, Gordon Brown was effectively reduced to guesswork throughout the Commander-in-Chief’s 80-odd days of deliberations.

Alas, the Macarthyite degree of opprobrium cast against BP chief executive Tony Hayward is part and parcel of Obama’s increasingly Anglophobic America. You need only recall the healthcare reform debate and the comparisons between socialism and the NHS.

Lee P. Ruddin, Moreton

A dreadful waste

I HAVE recently become aware of the threatened demolition of the Welsh chapel in Church road Wavertree. This is part of the general area known locally as Penny Lane.

It is a beautiful building and very much a part of the local heritage. It would seem that once again Liverpool City Council is in danger of losing a tourist gem.

This area is redolent of all things Beatle. It has two churches, one of which is St Barnabas. The church hall known as “Barnies” was once of the venues the Beatles played in their early days. Then there is Penny Lane itself and the barbers shop (with a portrait of the queen). This was Biolettis’ where John Lennon and I and many other young lads had our hair cut.

What an untold history this place has. In the centre is the old tram and bus waiting room. Why could this not be restored to its 1940s condition, a simple wooden bench round the sides. Some sort of refreshments could be served and the history of the vast tram sheds told. The Welsh chapel itself could be some kind of indoor market, with Beatles memorabilia its speciality. Ordinary people could be invited to send in their own memories of the Beatles and their world when young. There would be much to be told.

This area would be a stop on the Beatles tours and visitors would flock. The Capital of Culture year changed the city centre; this would do something for the suburbs.

But I suppose it is too much to ask. Everything will remain the same, except that people seeking Penny Lane will see an empty hole where the beautiful chapel was.

Liverpool’s glorious heritage is gradually ebbing away. Once again the Lyceum in Bold Street, so valiantly saved by Florence Gersten, is under threat, one of the oldest buildings in the city centre and, I think I am correct in saying, the first public library in the country.

The Cavern was destroyed and had to be “relocated”. But it would seem we never learn.

Howard Kay, L18

Put pen to paper

REGARDING the letters about finding good note paper (ECHO June 11), I can recommend plain white writing paper from John Lewis (pad of 100 sheets). Also a good stationer will stock, a plain writing pad – McNaughtons stock Basildon Bond pads (Woolton).

I agree with the writer – a letter is more dignified, and a hand-written letter gives that very personal touch!

Name & address supplied

A sad loss

I WAS sorry to read of the recent death of former Merseyside County Councillor Ernie Fitzpatrick.

Mr Fitzpatrick also served Liverpool on the council and was an honest, decent family man who worked hard and a real gentleman.

A person of integrity, willing and able to help anybody who called on him with a problem.

He will be sadly missed by the many people in West Derby and other parts of Liverpool who had the pleasure to know him and work with him.